A mother from Western Australia, Rachel Van Oyen, has been sentenced to two months in prison following a tragic car accident that resulted in the death of her seven-year-old twin daughters, Macey and Riley. The incident occurred in February near Merredin, approximately 230 kilometres east of Perth. Despite the girls being buckled into seatbelts, they were not secured in proper child car seats, which their father, Gem Midgley, believes contributed significantly to the devastating outcome.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Van Oyen was not fatigued or speeding at the time of the crash. However, she closed her eyes momentarily, causing her vehicle to veer left and subsequently crash into a tree, leading to the car flipping over. The twins were ejected from the vehicle due to the nature of the impact. Midgley expressed heartache over the incident, stating, “If they were in booster seats or a child car restraint suitable to their size, the outcome may have been different.”
Midgley reflected on the vibrant personalities of his daughters, describing them as playful and full of life, often enjoying activities like singing and dancing. His sentiments were echoed in the courtroom, which was filled with emotion as the sentence was read. The magistrate herself struggled to maintain composure while delivering the verdict.
In addition to her prison sentence, Van Oyen will spend six months under community supervision due to two counts of careless driving causing death. Her lawyer, Michael Ryan, noted the profound impact of this tragedy on Van Oyen, stating, “She’s not coping very well… it’s every parent’s worst nightmare.” Ryan highlighted the terrifying shift from a seemingly normal drive to the overwhelming loss of her children in an instant, a reality that weighs heavily on Van Oyen and the family.
The heartbreaking case has sparked discussions about road safety and the importance of appropriate child restraints in vehicles. Midgley underscored the need for greater awareness regarding child safety in cars to prevent similar tragedies in the future.